Should You Brush After You Eat?

Staying on top of a good oral health routine is one of the most important things you can do for your oral and overall health! We know you’ve heard the guidelines – brush twice a day and floss daily. But when should you brush exactly? Before or after eating? Some base it off of preference, however our team at Belman Dental is here to give you some insight on the importance of timing! 

Some foods and drinks can have a high concentration of sugars and carbs. For example, when watching a movie at home – you may indulge in popcorn, soda pop and candies. That’s a lot of carbs and sugar in one go! Having all of that in your mouth can encourage the development of certain bacteria, which can attack your tooth enamel for at least twenty minutes after consumption. If you were to brush right after you eat, you would be removing the bacteria before it has a chance to attack your tooth enamel! In this scenario, brush after eating and use flouride toothpaste. 

Sometimes brushing after eating can affect your tooth enamel. The Ontario Dental Hygienists’ Association recommends waiting at least one hour before brushing your teeth after consuming any acidic food or drinks. Examples include oranges, grapefruits and lemons. If you brush too soon after consuming foods with high citric acid it can cause damage as the enamel is in a weakened state. With this in mind, remember to brush before consuming acidic foods and drinks and drink a glass of water after consuming to wash away the acids. 

At Belman Dental Centre, we’re here to help make sure your oral health stays at its best. Be sure to eat a balanced diet, keep sugars and acidic intake as low as possible and keep up a good oral hygiene routine with brushing and flossing. If consuming acidic foods, wait to brush and drink water! If consuming high sugars and carbs, you can brush right after. Check-in with us to keep your oral health on track. Book your next dental hygiene appointment with our experienced and professional team in Toronto. We look forward to helping you stay healthy!